Casino Night/ Kelly's Black and White Party

Last weekend was soooo busy for us! We kicked off Friday night at Casino Night at Bent Tree Country Club. The event was hosted by Dr. Laidley who is an esteemed oncologist in North Dallas. She is our friend, Lisa Stiles' doctor. And we were invited to the event because we registered to be a part of Lisa's Komen team. Dr. Laidley was putting on this awesome benefit for all her patients, friends and families who were doing the race! How awesome?! We did a little gambling (all for charity) and enjoyed yummy and apps and cocktails! So fun!
After trying our hand at roulette, we headed over to NYLO in our Black and White to help Kelly celebrate her 30th birthday. It was such a fun party! It was on the rooftop with a band, bar and cake ;-) We didn't stay that late because we had to be up early the next morning for baylor/ texas tech game tailgating...

Happy Birthday Paulie!

A few weeks ago my hunny turned 29! We celebrated with several friends with a Happy Hour at Uncle Julio's - one of our favorite restaurants!! It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed cocktails on the patio till the moon was out! All of our dear Texas friends came out to buy Paul a cocktail (or shot of tequila) and I bought these yummy cupcakes from "Elizabethcakes" for the party. Tequila and cupcakes? Perfect!

We ended the evening at Down Under dancing and drinking... Happy Birthday Paulie! xoxo

This is the only picture I got...I've been forgetting my camera lately! ugh...

Zoo-a-Palooza!

It finally arrived! Pauls big zoo benefit he has been planning for months happened last weekend! It went beatifully and was super successful! Proceeds went to the zoo's outreach program which funds Dallas Schools to go on field trips to the zoo, brings animals into the classrooms, etc.
The event was lovely and took place in the new Savannah portion of the zoo. Appetizers and cocktails were served at "base camp" and guests were able to view the animals till dusk! The bands were incredible but it wasn't until the DJ hit the scene did things get interesting! (Probably had something to do with the open bar?)
The shuttle rides went great, our friends had a lot of fun bidding away at the silent auction... and my mom loved the african dancers! Did I mention my folks were in town this weekend?
I'm so proud of Paul and his leadership committee with the Dallas Assoc. of Young Lawyers for putting on such a fabulous and successful event! I know they all worked so hard!

Jason and Kerri checking out the Silent Auction! (Jason being a dork..)

Me and my baby! Hanging just outside base camp


Look who is feeding the giraffe!

A few of my favorite JLP gals!

Mom and Jules...sporting our animal print!

Fine Autos and Fashion Event/Blue Man Group

A few weeks ago we attended a fun event the junior league ladies were invited too -- it was a "Fine Autos and Fashion" cocktail party presented by Park Place Jaguar and Neiman Marcus. And the best part? The tickets were free for the JL gals and guests! We had a great evening visiting with my girlies and their hubbies (and scoring some yummy apps and wine!) After, we headed downtown to catch "The Blueman Group" We received discounted tickets through DAYL and went with several other attorney's. It was a busy night but worth it! Blue Man Group was hiliarous and you can't beat a free cocktails!

Here's Paul and I downtown in front of the Winspear Theater

The Dan Band!

September 18th was our dear friend Dustin's 31st birthday! We celebrated with a delicious mexican dinner at Chuy's before heading to the main event... The Dan Band Concert at the House of Blues! We got these tickets a long time ago when we first heard the Dan Band was coming - so we were pretty psyched, and they didn't disappoint!
We had a fabulous time drinking the extremely over-sized beers, laughing at the company around us and dancing the night away to ridiculous "chick" music. You may recognize this 3-person, white-man band from Old School and The Hangover. They were hilarious! "I need you know, I f*ckin need you more than ever!"
Loved it!

Tour des Fluers 10k

On September 18th Paul and I ran in the Samsung Tour des Fluer 10k at the Dallas Arboretum. It was the most lovely race I have ever participated in -- the race started at the Arboretum, which was decorated with Fall flowers and pumpkins! The decor curved around through parts of White Rock Lake and back.
Paul and I ran our first mile together (in a HUGE cluster of other people!) at 9:11 -- after that the crowds split and so did Paul and I ;-) I picked up the pace more and more each mile that passed! Dropping down under a 7minute mile in mile 6! (Well, 6:59 ;-) ) BUT, that was the first time I have hit under the 7minute mark since I was in middle school! What a great feeling! I even took a picture of my watch to capture it... I know, I'm so silly!
Paul finished in 1 hour 9mins with a run/walk combo -- pretty good for not running... Except in these races I sign him up for! lol! He says he likes being a game day/race day guy. Doesn't do the training, just the races! ;-)
After the 10k we enjoyed the festivities for awhile with my boss and his fiance, Dinah. The beer tent had cans of Blue Moon, there were yummy breakfast tacos, and plenty of pizza and sweet treats! We earned it!
I REALLY love these running races -- not quite as intense and fierce as Tri's. Those triathletes are some serious competetors! Whoa! And really, isn't it all about having FUN! ;-)

Prairie Man Sprint Triathlon!

A few weeks ago I participated in my second triathlon! It was an amazing experience -- but I must say, I will be better prepared next time. I was super late arriving to the race for body marking and to get my race materials ready in the transition area. Blame it on the two late nights "out" that weekend (so stupid! -- you would think I would learn?!) Or, poor planning on how long it would take to get to Grand Prairie...but I was late and a little frazzled before the start! I even forgot my swimcap and my garmin watch! jeesh! (yes, so I had no idea what mile marker I was at or my pace the entire race!!!)
But, as soon as the buzzer went off and I was in the water swimming I felt at ease...I made sure not to go out too fast and keep my energy for later in the race. I came out of the swim strong and transitioned to the bike quick! The bike portion seemd a bit long and boring but I tried to keep a good, fast cadence - - about 20mph for most of the 15miles. Being a beginner I was more nervous about being DQ'd for "drafting" or for illegally passing someone! So many silly USAT rules! Coming in from the bike I felt GREAT -- I was like, "finally! the run, something I can do well!" I was warm and ready for the run and came off the bike really strong. The participants had thinned out so there weren't many people surrounding me -- I was able to fly! And that's just what I did -- I ran hard, and fast..."only 3miles to the finish" I thought! I passed several people and kept a strong pace to the end. I crossed the finish line and was tired, but still had gas in the tank. What a great race!
Paul was there to celebrate my great finish - what a fabulous hubby! We were both so tired from the long morning getting to Grand Prairie and from the late nights prior that we took off right away. However, I learned from my good friend Jason the next day that I should of stuck around for the awards...I earned 3rd in my age group! I received a small trophy! My first athletic trophy ever! Jason picked it up for me and brought it to work for me the next day. When is the next Triathlon? Let me get through the White Rock Marathon and then we'll chat ;-)

Grand Prairie Triathlon Stats:

Julie Simon, Bib 517, 28 years
3rd in my agegroup!
18th overall
I was 2nd coming out of the swim, time of 11:20.8 for 500 meters
1st transition was 2:27
15mile bike was 54:53.9
5th off the bike
2nd transition 1:04
1st in the run 24:36.4m, 7:56 pace
FINAL 1:34:23.0